NCHR Reaffirms Its Rejection of All Forms of Discrimination and Commends the Government's Swift Response to the Al Ittihad Alexandria Club Incident

The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) has closely followed the incident concerning the exclusion of a child from the youth football trials at Al Ittihad Alexandria Club on religious grounds, as well as the findings announced by the Ministry of Youth and Sports following the work of the fact-finding committee it established to investigate the incident.

NCHR commends the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its prompt response and the immediate measures it has taken, including referring the coach concerned for disciplinary investigation and referring the incident to the Public Prosecution. These measures reflect a clear commitment to the principles of the rule of law, accountability, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination.

NCHR affirms that discrimination in all its forms, including discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, constitutes a flagrant violation of the Constitution, which guarantees equality among all citizens and prohibits discrimination in all its forms and manifestations. Such practices are also incompatible with the principles upon which the Egyptian State is founded, foremost among them citizenship, equality, and respect for human dignity.

NCHR calls upon all competent authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward any practices involving discrimination and to take all necessary legal and administrative measures to hold accountable anyone proven to have engaged in such conduct. This is essential to ensuring that no one enjoys impunity, strengthening public confidence in state institutions, and fostering a culture of respect for human rights and the rule of law.

NCHR further stresses the importance of continuing efforts to promote the values of equality and non-discrimination within sports and youth institutions and to ensure that all children and youth, from both gendes, enjoy equal opportunities to participate in sporting activities and develop their talents without discrimination of any kind.

NCHR reaffirms that it will continue to monitor developments in this case within the framework of its legal and constitutional mandate and stands ready to cooperate with all state institutions and civil society organizations to promote a culture of citizenship, uphold the principles of equality, combat all forms of discrimination, and advance human rights, in accordance with the Constitution, the law, and Egypt's international human rights obligations